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Football Insider

Embracing the dark arts: Mikel Arteta's admiration for Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta showers praise on Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone, shedding light on Arsenal's affinity for grinding out wins. Discover Arteta's insights ahead of the Champions League clash.

Embracing the dark arts: Mikel Arteta's admiration for Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been full of praise for Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone ahead of the Gunners' meeting with the Spanish side in the Champions League on Tuesday. Arteta, whose team have been accused of winning ugly this season, says that Simeone is a coach he looks up to and tries to learn from and reserved special praise for the Atletico manager's "passion."

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Mikel Arteta's Perspective on Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is set to face off against his admired counterpart Diego Simeone, the mastermind behind Atletico Madrid's resolute and tenacious style of play. Arteta, known for instilling defensive solidity in his team, acknowledges Simeone's impact on football tactics and commends the Argentine's unwavering passion for the game.

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Arteta's Embrace of Winning Ugly

Arteta's Arsenal have garnered a reputation for 'winning ugly' in the current campaign. The term, often used to describe grinding out results through resilience rather than flair, is a characteristic attributed to Simeone's Atletico as well. Arteta's acknowledgment of this approach reveals his flexibility in adapting strategies to achieve success.

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Learning from Simeone

Arteta openly expresses his admiration for Simeone's coaching philosophy, emphasizing the importance of studying and learning from experienced mentors in the footballing world. The mutual respect between the two managers sets the stage for an intriguing tactical battle in the upcoming Champions League encounter between Arsenal and Atletico Madrid.

Published on October 20, 2025